Spherical Electrode Ionizer for Higher Air Cleaning Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air cleaning devices with ionizing units and filter media face limitations in achieving optimal air cleaning efficiency, as charged particles may adhere to the collector electrode rather than being transmitted to the separating unit, reducing overall effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The air cleaning device incorporates a spherically curved collector electrode and a centered emitter electrode to create a larger, uniform ionization field, allowing charged particles to travel further and be efficiently captured by the separating unit, which can be a filter with dielectric fibers or an electrostatic precipitator, enhancing ionization efficiency and air cleaning performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional ionizing unit with flat electrodes is used, then the device structure is simple, but the ionization field is non-uniform and particles adhere to the collector electrode reducing air cleaning efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The collector electrode is designed with a spherically curved inner surface and the emitter electrode is positioned at the center, creating a uniform radial electric field. This spherical geometry ensures that the distance from the emitter to any point on the collector surface is constant, producing a uniform ionization field that prevents particle adhesion to the collector and improves transmission to the separating unit
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the electrodes from flat to spherical configuration, and adjusts the voltage applied between electrodes to optimize the ionization field strength. This parameter optimization ensures that particles are charged but not strongly attracted to the collector, allowing them to be transmitted to the separating unit for capture
2Quantity of substance
If the voltage between electrodes is increased to improve ionization, then more particles are charged, but particles adhere to the collector electrode instead of being transmitted to the separating unit
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical geometry of the collector electrode creates a uniform electric field distribution where the field strength is consistent at all points on the collector surface. This uniformity prevents localized strong attraction that would cause particle adhesion, allowing optimized voltage application that charges particles without causing them to stick to the collector electrode
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration increases the ionization efficiency of airborne particles, enabling a higher charge on particles and improved capture by the separating unit, thereby enhancing the overall air cleaning efficiency of the device.
Implementation Method 1
Corona discharges occur at the emitter electrode, whereby molecules in the air get charged (ionized) and turn into ions
Implementation Method 2
a voltage may be applied over the emitter electrode and the collector electrode, whereby an electric field is obtained between the emitter electrode and the collector electrode
Implementation Method 3
The ions travel in the electric field towards the collector electrode and collide with particles present in the air flow conducted by the collector electrode, whereby these particles get charged (ionized)
Implementation Method 4
The particles charged by the ionizing means are attracted by the fibers of the filter by electrostatic force
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
An air cleaning device (1) for separating airborne particles from a flow of air (10) is provided. The air cleaning device comprises a separating unit (6) and an ionizing unit (3) arranged to charge airborne particles present in the flow of air and transmit at least a major part of the charged particles towards the separating unit. The ionizing unit comprises at least one collector electrode (5) and at least one emitter electrode (4). The separating unit is arranged to attract at least some of the charged particles so as to separate them from the flow of air. Further, the at least one collector electrode is shaped so as to conduct at least a portion of the flow of air and has a spherically curved inner surface (15) and the emitter electrode is centered with respect to the spherically curved inner surface of the collector electrode. The present aspect is advantageous in that the air cleaning efficiency of the air cleaning device is improved.